Dala 7s: Top seeds Kenya Harlequin land tough group ahead of third SportPesa 7s leg

Dala 7s: Top seeds Kenya Harlequin land tough group ahead of third SportPesa 7s leg

Mark Kinyanjui 19:00 - 13.08.2024

Kenya Harlequin have been handed a tough group as they seek to dominate Dala 7s in Kisumu to keep their lead at the top of the 2024 SportPesa 7s circuit intact.

Kenya Harlequin have landed a tough Pool ahead of Dala 7s, the third leg of the 2024 National Sevens Circuit following their winning displays at the Ingo 7s as well as a strong runner-up finish in the opening Christie 7s.

The Dala 7s, set to take place on Saturday, August 17, and Sunday, August 18, at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, promises to be a highly competitive event.

Coached by Paul Murunga, Kenya Harlequin has been placed in Pool A alongside some formidable opponents: Menengai Oilers, Strathmore Leos, and Mwamba RFC. 

This pool is expected to be fiercely contested, with each team vying for supremacy in what is regarded as the toughest group of the tournament.

Pool B features Ingo 7s finalists KCB Rugby, who will face Nondies RFC, Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad, and Homeboyz RFC. KCB Rugby, with their eyes set on redemption after narrowly missing out on the Ingo 7s title, will be looking to dominate their pool.

In Pool C, Ingo 7s hosts and third-place winners Kabras RFC will battle it out with their crosstown rivals, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) Rugby, Dala 7s hosts Kisumu RFC, and the rapidly improving Kabete Stallions. 

Kabras RFC, known for their consistent performances, will be keen to build on their recent successes.

Nakuru RFC, the only non-university team in Pool D, will take on Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA) Monks, Daystar Falcons, and Zetech University Oaks, who clinched the Division II title at the Kakamega Ingo 7s. 

Nakuru RFC will be aiming to assert their dominance against the student teams and advance to the knockout stages.

Meanwhile, in Division II, Ingo 7s runner-up Kabarak University heads Pool A, joined by KCA University, Western Bulls, and Tororo RFC. 

Pool B is expected to be tightly contested, with Sigalagala National Polytechnic, Northern Suburbs, Bungoma RFC, and Mount Kenya University (MKU) Thika going head-to-head.

Pool C sees Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) Marines, Administration Police (AP) Warriors, Vihiga Granites, and Nandi Bears vying for top honors, while Pool D features Embu RFC, Homabay Rugby, Mbale RFC, and Siaya.

 The final pool, Pool E, includes Shamberere TTI, NYS Spades, Mean Machine, and Kifaru RFC.

Standby teams for the Dala 7s include Makueni RFC, Kisumu Polytechnic, and Molo RFC, ready to step in if any last-minute changes occur.

The 2024 National Sevens Circuit is back after a brief hiatus, allowing teams to rest and recharge before the intense competition resumes. The circuit began with the Christie 7s, hosted by Kenya Harlequin in Nairobi, followed by the electrifying Kakamega Ingo 7s, hosted by Kabras RFC.

As the 2024 Dala 7s approaches, rugby fans can expect high-octane action and fierce rivalries as teams battle for supremacy in both Division 1 and Division 2

2024 Dala 7s Pools

Division 1

Pool A: Quins, Oilers, Strathmore Leos, Mwamba RFC

Pool B: KCB Rugby, Blak Blad, Homeboyz, Nondies RFC

Pool C: Kabras RFC, Kabete Stallions, Kisumu RFC, MMUST Rugby

Pool D: Nakuru RFC, CUEA Monks, Daystar Falcons, Zetech Oaks

Division 2

Pool A: Kabarak University, KCA University, Western Bulls, Tororo RFC

Pool B: Sigalagala National Polytechnic, Northern Suburbs, Bungoma RFC, MKU Thika

Pool C: TUM Marines, AP Warriors, Vihiga Granites, Nandi Bears

Pool D: Embu RFC, Homabay Rugby, Mbale RFC, Siaya

Pool E: Shamberere TTI, NYS Spades, Mean Machine, Kifaru RFC

Tags: